Govt mobilises N$979m for climate-resilient development

**Staff Writer **

The government has mobilised approximately N$979 million through bilateral and multilateral funding windows for climate-resilient and low-emission development initiatives, according to the Consolidated Accountability Report 2025/2026 released by the ministry of finance this week.

The ministry of environment, forestry and tourism (MEFT) said it had also developed a Climate Finance Strategy to strengthen the country’s capacity to access climate finance at scale.

MEFT is finalising the review of the National Policy on Climate Change, adopted in 2011, following the completion of regional consultations.

The update of Namibia’s Nationally Determined Contributions is also being finalised, with N$4.5 million secured from the United Kingdom through the United Nations Development Programme.

A further N$8.5 million in technical and financial support was secured through the NDC Partnership to develop Namibia’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy.

The ministry has also initiated the development of carbon market regulations and a National Adaptation Plan in collaboration with the Namibia Nature Foundation.

Climate change and energy experts secured through the NDC Partnership have been placed within MEFT and the ministry of industries, mines and energy.

The ministry is also finalising funding concepts for early warning systems, climate readiness, urban agriculture, tree planting, electric mobility, and food, water and fodder security.

In forestry management, the directorate of forestry conducted 1 077 public awareness campaigns covering forest legislation, conservation, fire management, permits, illegal logging and poaching.

A total of 55 679 forestry permits were issued during the reporting period, while enforcement activities included 613 roadblocks, 1 528 forest resource inspections and 12 joint cross-border patrols with Botswana and Angola.

Despite these efforts, illegal activities continued. Authorities confiscated 1 930.1 tonnes of charcoal, 4 356 planks, 93 logs, 3 721 poles, 5 166 droppers, 500 rafters and 17 blocks.

The confiscations also included 461.5 tonnes of firewood, 381 wood carvings and protected plants.

The Directorate of Forestry participated in 216 stakeholder meetings and cross-border initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable forest management and combating illegal activities.

Community-based forestry activities generated N$2.6 million from forest products, permits, fines, auctions, horticulture and other projects.

The ministry produced 122 175 seedlings, of which 46 798 were sold, 1 460 donated and 2 496 planted. Departmental orchards produced 199 kg of fruit.

A total of 1 424 seedlings were donated during the International Day of Forests, while another 180 were donated during National Tree Planting Day activities in Hardap and //Kharas.

For forest protection, 165 fire awareness campaigns were conducted in fire-prone communities, reaching approximately 680 community members and relevant stakeholders through training in fire prevention and suppression.

The ministry constructed 494 km of firebreaks and carried out controlled burning across 80 km to reduce wildfire risks.

Authorities also reported 2 468 aggressive bee colonies, of which 1 401 were captured and relocated to apiaries. Beekeeping training was provided to 53 beneficiaries, with additional support extended to farmers and three vocational training centres in the Omusati Region.

Revenue from seedlings, permits, forest products, auctions, fruit, fines and other sources totalled N$6.6 million.